File Renamerwww.filerenamer.net | $19.95
Windows can handle some basic file renaming in batches, but not with the power and simplicity of this tool, which changes extensions and can undo renames. Use the preview function to see the new name before giving the okay.

xplorer2zabkat.com/x2lite.htm | Free or $29.95 for Pro
Remember Norton Commander and its two-pane view? It seems that xplorer2 does, bringing that dual-pane paradigm back-with tabs-to replace Windows Explorer completely. You can even bookmark folders and later access them remotely via FTP.

DoubleKillerwww.bigbangenterprises.de/en/doublekiller | Free or $19.95 for Pro
As the name implies, this utility does one thing and does it well: It locates duplicate files on your computer and kills one, leaving you with just a single file.

PCMag Utility: File Utility Packgo.pcmag.com/fileutilitypack | $7.97 alone or included in $19.97 annual subscription
This two-pack includes MultiRen for strong batch file-renaming in Windows Explorer and FileGrab to create lists of files in a folder that you can then paste into spreadsheets or other documents.

ExplorerXPwww.explorerxp.com | Free, XP only
Another replacement for Windows Explorer, with organizational tabs. This small program nicely displays the total size of folders, not just files.
Total Commanderghisler.com | $34
This dual-pane tool mimics the look of a FTP client (it has FTP built in) while comparing files and foldersincluding archives.
FreeCommanderwww.freecommander.com | Free
Put this utility on a USB keyeven a floppy disk if you can find oneand take it with you to control files on any PC.

Appearance

WindowBlinds 6www.stardock.com | $19.95
Putting new skins on Windows completely changes its looksfrom the wallpaper to the menuswithout changing how it works. WindowBlinds claims to improve performance over XP's and Vista's own UI, enhancing things like transparency of windows and menus. Artists, design your own customized skins.

QTTabBarqttabbar.wikidot.com | Free
Want to stick with Windows Explorer? It's your choice, but you can still enjoy an advanced, tabbed interface. After installing this utility, go to Explorer, right-click the toolbar, and check "QTTabBar," then check the ButtonBar to get extra control over new tabs.

Taskbar Shuffle 2.2www.freewebs.com/nerdcave/taskbarshuffle.htm | Free
Don't let the Windows taskbar control you. Move the buttons for open applications anywhere you want on the taskbar, or group open documents together. It works with Windows versions all the way back to Windows 95.

Vista Transformation Packwww.windowsxlive.net | Free
Are you jealous of friends who get to compute all day in good-looking Vista while you toil in ancient XP? This pack does all it can to make sure the older OS gets the visual perks of the newer. From the boot screen to the smart icons, even the control panels are Vista-ized.

Pitaschiopitaschio.ara3.net | Free
Make Windows behave in ways that match your style of working. This background utility minimizes windows to the tray, snaps them together as you drag, and disables specific keys (like the Windows key). It even provides stats on how much you use your keyboard.

ResizeEnablewww.digitallis.co.uk/pc/downloads.html | Free
Simple and to the point: Sometimes windows pop up that can't be resized, but you want to resize them anyway. This tiny utility makes sure that all windows you encounter can be elongated as needed.

Cleandesk Organizerwww.desktopminds.com | $12
If you tend to place a lot of items on your desktop, this organizer can help clean up the digital mess. Create rules for how the organizer should treat different kinds of data ("Copy JPEG images to My Pictures," for example) and let it do the heavy lifting.

Compression/Encryption

TrueCryptwww.truecrypt.org | Free
Want to encrypt an entire drive, even a thumb drive? TrueCrypt will do it in real time, even as you add files. A wizard assists in creation of a virtual encrypted volume, at the size of the file you want to encrypt or occupying a whole disk partition.

7-Zip7-zip.org | Free
This open-source compression manager handles RAR and CAB files and promises better compression with ZIP archives than competitors offer. It even supports a new archive format called 7z, which is, as you'd expect, 7-Zip's default format.

SecureZIP for Desktopwww.pkware.com | $29.95
This PC Magazine Editors' Choice is all about the ZIP format because it's from the people who created ZIP. It does everything an archive manager should, such as integrating with Outlook to make sending and receiving compressed files a snap.

Eric narrowly averted a career in food service when he began in tech publishing at Ziff-Davis over 20 years ago. He was on the founding staff of Windows Sources, FamilyPC, and Access Internet Magazine (all defunct, and it's not his fault). He's the author of two novels, BETA TEST ("an unusually lighthearted apocalyptic tale"--Publishers' Weekly) and KALI: THE GHOSTING OF SEPULCHER BAY. He works from his home in Ithaca, NY.
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